BART will accommodate holiday shoppers by making trains as long as possible tomorrow, Friday, November 26 - the busiest holiday shopping day of the year, as BART Police staff hold morning holiday shopping safety events for many of the thousands who take BART to shop on "Black Friday."

BART Police to hold early morning shopping safety eventsIn addition, the BART Police Department is working to raise awareness about how to shop and ride BART safely during the holiday season. Tens of thousands typically use the convenience of riding BART to get to shopping districts without dealing with the hassles of traffic and crowded parking lots.

BART Police have been working diligently to increase community policing and enhance their relationships with riders and with surrounding communities. This safety awareness campaign is an opportunity for riders to learn simple tips to help keep themselves and their property safe, and to speak directly with BART Police about any concerns or questions they may have.

New reports show BART is even safer than in years pastBART has become an even safer system to ride in the past year. Violent crimes on BART, which are uncommon to begin with, are down 26% between October 2009 and October 2010. In that same time period, the number of robberies is down 30%. Overall crime on BART is down 7.6%

Police safety tips for holidays

Shop during the daylight hours if you can. If you shop at night, bring a trusted friend.

Stay alert to your surroundings at all times.

Park in a well-lit areas and lock your car.

Hide shopping bags and belongings in your trunk prior to leaving your house, not while in the parking lot as thieves tend to watch where you place your valuables.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and only bring one credit card.

Make sure your keys are readily accessible when approaching your vehicle and be sure not to buy more than you can safely carry.

Be aware of strangers who come up to you, particularly when you're overburdened with bags.

Program the BART Police emergency line (877)-679-7000 into your mobile phone for quick access.

BART has produced a BARTtv News story (visit YouTube and subscribe to "BARTable" to see the video) that provides more information about the BART Police safety awareness campaign and community oriented policing efforts, including information on BART's safety escorts to your car if needed from a BART station.